calcium in the wild

[Wonkawillie]

Well, we all know the importance of calcium in the squirrel diet. I have taken care of a few orphans and always have done well, with making sure they all get enough.
I have a released girl from this past spring, who returns each day to mooch some food. Actually, some days she wants to play as well as rip my shorts to get at the peanuts in my pockets! She is amazingly smart, friendly, etc. I live in the center of 30 acres, so I sure hope she is not at risk of the cars on the street. She would have to travel about 600 feet to get to the closest part of the street. Anyway....I love her to death and worry about her each day, but I am thrilled that she has become such a good wild squirrel, and still visits.
On to my question.....I am in the northeast and I just wonder what it is that they eat in the wild, that gives them enough calcium? My girl look strong and healthy, but where is she getting her calcium? She no longer wants any rodent block now that she has free choice of wild food. More worries....

[4skwerlz]

Eggshells, insects, mushrooms & lichens, calcium-rich wild plants & buds, bones & carcases from nibbling soil....

[lilbitsquirrely]

:wave123 I do believe, that allot of the wild flowers,weeds and plants that they eat, along with lots of sunshine, provide plenty of calcium.My nephew, and several other people, I know hunt and my nephew was the one who told me that deer shed their antlers, and you hardly ever come across any in the woods, because squirrels eat them so that is another source for them.:thinking

:thankyou For sharing your life with her,I'm so glad to hear she is still coming back to you.None of the ones released come back to me.They are totally wild.:thumbsup

[Secret Squirrel]

Yep....I'v seen some of my yard squirrels dragging a deer bone (femur bone) up a tree before.

[Fireweed]

Could squirrels get mbd if as babies they aren't fed enough milk by their mothers? :thinking Or if the mother's milk is somehow compromised? If the mother is sick or something?

[Hannah]

Wonkawillie, it's nice to hear your squirrel still visits.

I've been wondering about calcium and wild squirrels as well, at least in winter. Some months last winter my local squirrels ate little more than maple seeds, pine seeds, and maybe a little bark. I didn't notice any carcasses. I don't think pine seeds are a good source of calcium, but don't know about maple seeds or bark. But I wounder if they get lots of calcium in summer, spring, and fall, and are able to survive on less over winter. I didn't notice any that seemed ill, except a little hair loss.

Whatever the method, they obviously get enough, though. :)

The red squirrels in the Black Hills, whose diet is mostly pine seeds, each seem to have a bone stashed at the base of, or in, their favorite tree, and here I've seen fox squirrels stash rabbit bones in trees.

[rockybaby]

Where can I buy antlers?? Order them online??

[pappy1264]

Yes, you can order them online. I was going to write pretty much what muffinsquirrel did...lol

[prncsbabs1]

Where can I buy antlers?? Order them online??


You can get them at Chris's Squirrels & more

http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/category/1429/food.htm

[island rehabber]

If you live near the shore, seashells are a great source of calcium too and my squirrel babies seem to prefer chewing on those vs. the antlers. :dono

[pappy1264]

I give antlers, cooked marrow bones, even put cuttlebone (which they LOVE).

[lordskeep]

To those that are looking to buy cheap deer antlers for your pet squirrel here is a good source.Go to Ebay and look this seller up cabin-dreamer.I just bought 8 nice pieces for $11.00 dollars shipped.Best part is this guy only sells naturally shed antlers, so no animals were harmed in collecting them from the wild.Hope this helps someone.

[RockyRocko]

I used round steak bones for my babies when I raised them. Then when I released them I took a small piece of chain and looped it through the bone and attatched it to my outside feeders.

Roxy's babies (wilds) have now learned that if it's ok for mama, then it's ok for them and they chew on the bones all the time!!!

Hy Vee sells a whole package of round steak bones for about $5. I let my dogs
have them first, then when they are done, I soak the bones in hot water to
clean them and then hang them on the feeders!!

You can see by the pictures that they do use them!!!

[mugzeezma]

Where can I buy antlers?? Order them online??
I give mine the fried chicken bones from JEWEL

the cambium layer of bark is also a very good source. It's their primary source of nutrition in the winter months

[Bushkins]

I give mine the fried chicken bones from JEWEL

the cambium layer of bark is also a very good source. It's their primary source of nutrition in the winter months

Wild squirrels need all the calcium they can get !! I take calcium carbonate and crush into a fine-fine powder and dust my walnuts and pecans before feeding my wild squirrel friends ! Seems to work well and my wild squirrels look really healthy !! Oh Yeah !! Lots of fresh water !! I think the calcium once every 2-3 weeks on their nuts seem to work well and has made a big difference in one injured squirrel I have been feeding !! Mr. Shortail is looking good !! I'm really happy that I have made a difference in his life !!:grin2

[Rocky1]

Where can I buy antlers?? Order them online??

I found some at Petco.

Previously, there was discussion on here about boiling antlers before giving them to squirrels. After reading that I started boiling them just to be safe, although it may be overly cautious. I'm not entirely sure.

[Bushkins]

I found some at Petco.

Previously, there was discussion on here about boiling antlers before giving them to squirrels. After reading that I started boiling them just to be safe, although it may be overly cautious. I'm not entirely sure.

Is there a measured amount of calcium (mg) that is known for the essential nutritional needs of wild grey squirrels ? I ask this because calcium can be giving in excess amounts, whether be it our captive pets or our wild squirrels, excess amounts of anything can cause health problems to our furry friends !! How much calcium carbonate should I give wild squirrels ? Thanks !!:grin2